As promised, here's my update. It'll be the last for a while, I'm sorry to say, but understand that I would update if I could. Expect another chapter sometime near the end of March. Hope you enjoy ^^ Please R/R.

Disclaimer: No, I do not own these two boys ~sighs~ But they are kawaii, ne?

Warnings: Kai/Rei shounen ai, if you hadn't figured that out yet. Some other pairings too, a little OOC-ness . . . the usual, eh?

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He was brought to the city. The festival sounds danced around him, firecrackers bursting in the sky above.

"Rei, what should we do first?" Mariah's eyes danced with excitement.

The Chinese boy shrugged his shoulders. "What do you want to do?"

"Oh! I want to go see if I can pick up some discount fashions for my costume. This outfit is getting so old."

Rei raised an eyebrow. "You're outfit is fine, Mariah. You picked it."

"Yeah, yeah. Are you going to come?"

"No. I'm going to look around . . ."

"Suit yourself."

Finding himself alone, Rei wandered through the crowds. Musicians stood high above the streets, playing their joyous tunes. Players from around The World were present, all anticipating the speech of the Princess.

//Aren't you excited, Rei?//

'No. The Princess is only the girl who created this game, and besides, I want to find Kai.'

//But I want to have some fun!//

'Drigger, I'm not here to have fun. I'm here to find Kai.'

The tiger grumbled and grew silent. Shaking his head, Rei ducked into a side street.

'If I were Kai, where would I go?'

//Somewhere away from the festivities. The phoenix is a loner.// Drigger mumbled.

'Drigger, I know you want to enjoy yourself, but I have to find Kai first.'

//Like he'll want to have any fun.//

'Drigger . . . '

Once more the tiger spirit grew quiet. Rei sighed. He turned to continue his search when firm hands grasped his shoulders. Something else hit the boy in the stomach, causing him to instinctively double over in protection.

"We've got the neko-jin. Inform the Princess at once." A quiet voice instructed. "Don't move boy. Our lady wishes to speak with you."

"What did I do?" Rei asked, wiggling his twisted arm.

"We can not speak for our mistress."

The guardsman peered down at the Chinese youth in his grasp. The boy struggled to free himself, eyes darting around in search of something.

'Drigger, what do I do?'

//Just follow them. They can't hurt you, remember?//

'Right.'

The struggling stopped. Rei raised his chin, glaring at the guard. The man was hardly older than him, but his costume was like a knights. They dragged the scribe to the castle. Rei's eyes widened as they entered the gates. He'd never been this close to the royal household. Inside the front hall stood a girl with red hair. Her lips were pressed in a firm line, hands on her hips.

"Michael? Did he give you any trouble, because it sure took you long enough. My public is waiting."

"Sorry, my lady. This is the neko-jin. He wasn't with the other boy, however."

"Fine, fine. You're dismissed Michael. As for you," The girl's eyes landed on Rei. "Follow me."

"Mind explaining who you are, and why I'm here?" demanded Rei. He stood rooted in place, eyes fixated on the female figure.

"I am the Princess, creator of this whole game. You were called here because I am told you and your friend plan to overthrow me."

"Overthrow you? Why would we do that?"

"I don't know!" The girl hissed. "Why don't you tell me, neko-jin? It's only a matter of time until I capture your friend. If you don't tell me, he will."

Rei's hand clenched into a fist. "Stay away from Kai."

"Or what? I know all about your little plans. It's too late for you, neko- jin."

"My name is Rei."

The girl stamped her foot on the floor. "Did I ask for your name? MICHAEL!"

The guard appeared instantly, bowing in respect. "My lady?"

"Take this boy to a holding cell. I want you to magic the lock, then come present me to the public. Understood?"

"Yes, my lady."

"And if you log off, neko-jin, you'll be back in the cell when you return to The World."

The guard, Michael, took hold of Rei's arms and pulled him out of the room. They walked down the twisting stairs to a hallway. Dozens of cells branched off, half of them full. Michael led the Chinese boy to one near the end, tossing him inside.

"You should not have angered my lady. She just wanted to question you."

Rei glared at the boy. He kept his mouth shut, trying not to shudder as he felt eyes on him. Michael shook his head and walked off. When he was gone from view Rei slumped against the cell wall.

What had he gotten himself into now?

*****

They danced in circles. Round and round. Kai's eyes trailed over the figures, hand clutching his staff. He didn't need them. Snorting, the Japanese boy took off down the street until red uniforms caught his attention. The royal guard, and they were dragging a familiar shape towards the palace. Kai felt his breath catch.

Rei.

Silently following the group, the mage slipped inside the palace gates. They would take Rei to the dungen, Kai was sure of that. The boy raised his staff. Words spilt from his lips and then he was inside.

*****

'Now what, Drigger?'

//I'm thinking.//

Rei sighed. He wanted to be away from here. The Chinese boy could feel all the eyes on him, as if sizing him up. He hated it. It was like being on display.

"Rei?"

Blinking, ambers landed on the figure outside the cell bars.

"Kai? What are you doing here?!"

"Shh, relax. They out a spell on the door, didn't they?"

A nod. The mage stepped back and whispered an incantation. The cell door swung open and Rei jumped to his feet.

"Kai!" Rei buried his head in Kai's shoulder, hugging the other boy close. "They want to capture you too. We have to get out of here!"

"I know, I know."

"How did you find me?"

"I saw them taking you away." Kai tipped up Rei's chin and gazed down at the youth in his arms. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Asked the scribe in confusion.

"For getting you into this mess. I didn't want to get you involved . . . "

Kai was silenced as Rei leaned up and pressed their lips together in a gentle kiss.

"I got myself involved. Kai, I -"

The mage shook his head. "Not now. Let's get out of here."

Rei nodded, holding himself close to Kai's chest. The other player kissed the crown of his head, before transporting them away from the dungeon.

*****

Kai stroked Rei's lose hair, eyes focused on the fire. The Princess thought she could capture them, did she? She had another thing coming.

"Nn, Kai?"

Rei tilted his head up, ambers filled with questions.

"Hai?"

Kai paused in his actions as he watched the Chinese boy laying across his lap.

"Arigatou." A brief silence. "Kai?" Burgundy stared at amber. Rei smiled sadly. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For telling you about your grandfather. It's none of my business . . . "

Casting his gaze over the land, Kai took in a breath. "No, I want to thank you for that. It seems everyday I lose more memories of the real world, and I can now understand why my mind wants to forget them."

"Kai . . . " Rei sat up, brushing his lips against the mage's. "There are people who would help you. They would stop your grandfather."

"Koneko-chan, you're too kind." Blue mixed with raven as Kai leaned his head on Rei's. "You don't even know me."

"But it feels like I do." Replied the Chinese boy. Kai smiled softly, running his digits through Rei's long hair.

"Yes, it feels like you do."

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In the land of twilight, under the moon

We dance for the idiots

Ring-around-the-roses, jump to the moon

We sing with the castanets

I will sing for crescent moon

Dancing with the castanets

As the end will come so soon

In the land of twilight

Now you are watchin' us outside the circle

Wanna be in the company

Boy, but you are lonely

Dance with nobody

Run away child, to your hiding place

High and loud, the sound of your bell of the twilight . . . ringing . . .

All alone, it rings and echoes in the twilight

In the land of twilight, under the moon

We dance for the idiots

Ring-around-the-roses, jump to the moon

We sing with the castanets

-In The Land Of Twilight, Under The Moon

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